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GREENWICH, Conn. — The Lyme Research Alliance and Tick-Borne Disease Alliance announced that Greenwich residents Amy Marisa Balducci and Riann Smith will co-chair the annual “Time for Lyme” Gala.

The event is scheduled for Saturday, April 11, from 6:30 p.m. to midnight at the Hyatt Regency Greenwich in Old Greenwich.

Both women have had personal experiences with Lyme disease in their families.

Balducci, a Realtor with Sotheby's International Realty, nearly lost her husband, Charles, when he became ill on their honeymoon because of Lyme disease.

“It was horrible,” Balducci said. “No one could figure out what was wrong with him. We came back home, he was immediately put in intensive care and, luckily, a doctor realized there was a chance he had Lyme."

Smith suffered through the disease for years undiagnosed, and lost a pregnancy at 22 weeks as well because she didn't get a more detailed test.

“Had there been an accurate diagnostic test and I received treatment sooner,” Smith said, “it would have spared me immeasurable physical and emotional trauma, and I might have my daughter today.”

Balducci and Smith hope to raise significant money for the continuation of critically needed research to develop a highly accurate diagnostic test and treatment of late-stage Lyme.